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Short-Field Landing

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Land in the shortest possible distance.

Land when runway length, conditions, or an emergency necessitate a short-field technique.

  1. "Short" runways: Temperatures, payload, obstacles, surface
  2. POH: Technique, numbers
  3. Energy
  4. Ground effect: Aiming point vs touchdown point
  5. Touchdown
  6. Lowering nosewheel
  7. Braking/Aerodynamic braking
  8. Approach speed
  9. Gust factor
  1. Pre-landing checklist (GUMPS)
  2. Downwind: 10", 10° flaps, 85 knots
  3. Base: 20°flaps, 75 knots
  4. Final: 40° flaps, 65 knots + gust factor
  5. Stable approach
  6. Smooth roundout
  7. Firm touchdown, no float, minimal energy
  8. Aerodynamic braking: Aft elevator
  9. Flaps up
  10. Braking as required
  • Windshear
  • Crosswind
  • Runway surface
  • Stalls, coordination
  • Short final segment
  • Overly steep approach
  • Too low airspeed: Landing hard
  • Too high airspeed: Floating
  • Premature reduction in power
  • Excessive speed at touchdown
  • Failure to maintain directional control
  • VREF +10/-5 knots
  • Touchdown +200/-0 feet (private)
  • Touchdown +100/-0 feet (commercial)

References